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If only Auckland could have a devastating natural disaster that cost 185 people their lives and wrecked the local economy and infrastructure for a decade.
Christchurch is so lucky.
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If only Auckland could have a devastating natural disaster that cost 185 people their lives and wrecked the local economy and infrastructure for a decade.
Tigers talking tough! Is plan B if no upgrades to move all games to Commbank or Allianz?
The 50 million reasons why Wests Tigers are prepared to quit Campbelltown
By Christian Nicolussi
April 9, 2025 — 1.00pm
Wests Tigers are threatening to stop playing NRL games at Campbelltown Sports Stadium unless local council can give a $50m guarantee to upgrade the facilities.
Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson has given Campbelltown City Council until June 30 to reach a heads of agreement, otherwise he will explore moving the Tigers to one of Sydney’s new stadiums from 2026.
The Tigers are locked in to play four NRL games at Campbelltown, two at Leichhardt, one game at Magic Round, and four across Venues NSW grounds – Allianz Stadium and CommBank – for this season and next, but have no commitments for 2027 onwards.
Richardson said if there were no plans to spend $50m on Campbelltown during the next three years, “we won’t play there”.
“I don’t do ‘Trumpian’ threats, but we won’t play there, it’s as simple as that,” Richardson told the club’s Behind The Roar podcast.
“At the moment, it’s not at a standard that’s required to be an NRL ground.
“To be the great club we want to be, and to have the quality of players we need to have; to have the vision we need to have, we need a stadium to build ourselves around, other than just Leichhardt. If we don’t have that stadium, we need to find one.”
Richardson threatened to leave Leichhardt last year if money was not spent on the inner-western Sydney venue, only for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns to later announce a $40m rescue package. The plan is for that money to be spent on having 17,000 to 18,000 seats at that venue, and facilities to host up to 1000 corporates.
Richardson wants Campbelltown to have seating for up to 24,000 fans and 1500 corporates – and if council does commit, the Tigers will do likewise by playing a minimum seven NRL games at the south-western venue. The plan would be for up to $100m to be spent on Campbelltown across the next ten years.
“The bottom line is it’s time to deliver,” he said.
“A modern venue will unlock much-needed revenue through corporate hospitality, enhance match-day experience and increase broadcast value. As the game continues to evolve, so must the Wests Tigers.
“If we want to compete at the highest level against other NRL clubs based in modern venues, we need to address the financial advantage those clubs currently have.”
The Tigers are expected to have a full house at CommBank for their Easter Monday clash against Parramatta.
Penrith are calling CommBank Stadium home the next two years while their stadium undergoes a $309m redevelopment.
South Sydney are in a battle to end their association with Accor Stadium and return to Allianz Stadium, which is owned by the taxpayers – not the Sydney Roosters. Souths and Cronulla will earn north of $400,000 for taking games to Perth’s Optus Stadium this weekend.
It feels like they are still trying to appease two fan bases rather than carve out one.
It’s a small town in England.
7 games includes NRLW. So possibly no NRL increase.
Isn’t the CoE at Concord?
And also in NSW
